Barry Ferguson will be feeling like the King of Ibrox after Rangers beat Celtic last weekend.
The former midfielder guided his Gers to a 3-2 win at Celtic Park with the Hoops not close to their best for a second Glasgow derby fixture in a row.
It was poor by Celtic’s standards with manager Brendan Rodgers facing questions over his tactical plans as his side shipped three goals for the third time in a row in the fixture. Ferguson is a rookie in contrast to Rodgers whose derby record is impressive through the years.
So Celtic fans can perhaps allow Ferguson the false narrative that he was the mastermind behind Gers’ comeback as they feel they’re on the road to becoming the Scottish Premiership’s dominant force again.
Yawn. Still, one man who should know better is Andy Walker who reckons Rangers don’t need to worry so much about Celtic beyond this season.
Andy Walker says Rangers’ problem ‘not Celtic’
The ex-Hoops striker has told Ferguson – if he lands the permanent job, fingers crossed – that he has to focus on consistently beating the lesser teams who have thwarted the Light Blues this season.
“He’ll be a contender. And knowing Barry in the time that I’ve known him in here over the last couple of years, I know that he’s got this ferocious appetite for winning,” Walker said on GO Radio.
“He’ll want to put his name forward for it. It’s really strange when you look at this Rangers team and Barry’s been able to, as Philippe Clement did, to be fair to him in the last game in January, put together a team and a system and a belief that you could beat the best in the country. And they’ve beaten Celtic the last twice. They’ve played them, ran them close in the Premier Sports Cup final.
“Celtic are going to win the league. But the problem for Rangers seems to me is not Celtic. It’s having this ability to be consistent on the road and, of course, at home.”
Celtic are so far ahead of Rangers that Walker’s words make no sense
We hope Walker’s comments were tongue in cheek because Celtic are so far ahead of Rangers on and off the field that it’s almost laughable.
Two wins in a campaign – while disappointing for the leaders – does not mean the changing of the guard.
Rodgers is an elite manager at Celtic Park with Trebles coming out his backside. Ferguson has bossed Kelty Hearts before he walked before he was pushed by Alloa Athletic.
It’s the same every time, though, with Rangers feeling they’ve turned a corner with a good result against their rivals.
It might just take Celts lifting the title early to prove everything we already know.
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